The Godfather Of Roman Fountains
The Godfather Of Roman Fountains In Rome’s city center, there are countless easily recognized water fountains. Gian Lorenzo Bernini, one of the greatest sculptors and artists of the 17th century planned, conceptualized and produced nearly all of them. He was additionally a urban designer, in addition to his expertise as a fountain designer, and records of his life's work are apparent all through the streets of Rome. A famous Florentine sculptor, Bernini's father mentored his young son, and they ultimately went to Rome to thoroughly showcase their art, chiefly in the form of community water fountains and water features. An diligent employee, the young Bernini earned praise and the backing of various popes and influential designers. At the start he was celebrated for his sculptural expertise. Most particularly in the Vatican, he utilized a base of expertise in ancient Greek architecture and melded it flawlessly with Roman marble. Though many artists had an influence on his work, Michelangelo had the most profound effect.At What Point Did Water Fountains Originate?
At What Point Did Water Fountains Originate?
Himself a learned man, Pope Nicholas V headed the Roman Catholic Church from 1397 till 1455 and was responsible for the translation of scores of ancient texts from their original Greek into Latin. He undertook the beautification of Rome to turn it into the worthy capital of the Christian world. In 1453 the Pope instigated the rebuilding of the Aqua Vergine, an ancient Roman aqueduct which had carried fresh drinking water into the city from eight miles away. The historical Roman tradition of marking the entry point of an aqueduct with an magnificent celebratory fountain, also known as a mostra, was restored by Nicholas V. The architect Leon Battista Alberti was directed by the Pope to build a wall fountain where we now find the Trevi Fountain. The water which eventually provided the Trevi Fountain as well as the acclaimed baroque fountains in the Piazza del Popolo and Piazza Navona came from the modified aqueduct which he had renovated.
The First Garden Fountains
The First Garden Fountains Water fountains were at first practical in purpose, used to deliver water from canals or springs to cities and hamlets, supplying the residents with fresh water to drink, wash, and prepare food with. To produce water flow through a fountain until the late 1800’s, and generate a jet of water, required the force of gravity and a water source such as a creek or reservoir, situated higher than the fountain. Fountains spanning history have been designed as monuments, impressing hometown citizens and tourists alike. The common fountains of modern times bear little resemblance to the first water fountains. A natural stone basin, carved from rock, was the very first fountain, utilized for holding water for drinking and spiritual functions. Pure stone basins as fountains have been found from 2,000 B.C.. The force of gravity was the energy source that controlled the oldest water fountains. Positioned near aqueducts or springs, the functional public water fountains provided the local residents with fresh drinking water. Fountains with ornate decoration began to appear in Rome in approx. 6 B.C., normally gods and wildlife, made with natural stone or copper-base alloy. A well-designed system of reservoirs and aqueducts kept Rome's public fountains supplied with fresh water.Select from Countless Outdoor Wall Fountain Styles
Select from Countless Outdoor Wall Fountain Styles Small verandas or courtyards are an ideal place to install wall fountains since they add style to an area with little space. When considering the many types of outdoor wall fountains available including traditional, vintage, contemporary, or Asian, you are certain to find one best suited to your design ideas. While there are innumerable prefabricated ones on the market, you may need a customized fountain if none of these are pleasing to you.
Depending on your requirements, you can pick from mounted or freestanding types. Small, self-contained mounted wall fountains can be installed on any surface. One of the most important aspects of wall fountains is that they be light, so they are typically made of fiberglass or resin to replicate the look of stone. Stand-alone fountains, often referred to as floor fountains, are of considerable size, have a basin located on the ground and a smooth side which leans against a wall. Water features such as these are typically made of cast stone and have no weight limits.
Custom-built fountains which can be incorporated into a new or existing wall are often recommended by landscaping designers. Hiring an expert mason is your best option to build the basin and install the required plumbing. You will need to integrate a spout or fountain mask into the wall. Customized wall fountains lend to a unified look because they become part of the landscape rather than look like a later addition.
"Primitive" Greek Artistry: Outdoor Statuary
"Primitive" Greek Artistry: Outdoor Statuary
The initial freestanding statuary was improved by the Archaic Greeks, a distinguished achievement since until then the only carvings in existence were reliefs cut into walls and columns. For the most part the statues, or kouros figures, were of young and desirable male or female (kore) Greeks. The kouroi were believed by the Greeks to represent beauty and were sculpted with one foot leading and an uncompromising stiffness to their forward-facing poses; the male statues were always strapping, sinewy, and unclothed. Life-sized versions of the kouroi appeared beginning in 650 BC. During the Archaic time, a great time of change, the Greeks were developing new forms of government, expressions of art, and a greater awareness of people and cultures outside Greece. However, the Greek civilization was not slowed down by these struggles.
Free Drinking Fountains in and Around Berkley, California
Free Drinking Fountains in and Around Berkley, California The first example of a sugary drinks tax in the US came in February 2014, when it was passed by the city of Berkley, California. By making soda more costly, it’s expected that individuals will make better choices for what their children drink, like water for instance. The aim of the research was to evaluate the state of community drinking water fountains and figure out if there is a distinction in access to fresh, operating drinking fountains based on racial or economic components. The research utilized a GPS app to collect data on existing water fountains in the city.
The US Census Community Study database was used to compile information pertaining to race and economic status in these locations. Evaluations were made between the location and demographic data, revealing whether class differences affected availability to clean, working water fountains. They were able to uncover the demographics of areas surrounding active fountains, as well as the tidiness and maintenance of fountains across various areas. The fact that the fountains were functioning was not a guarantee that they were well-maintained, considering quite a few were in need of cleaning and repair.
Contemporary Garden Decoration: Large Outdoor Water Fountains and their Roots
Contemporary Garden Decoration: Large Outdoor Water Fountains and their Roots A fountain, an amazing piece of engineering, not only supplies drinking water as it pours into a basin, it can also propel water high into the air for a noteworthy effect.The primary purpose of a fountain was originally strictly practical. Cities, towns and villages made use of nearby aqueducts or springs to supply them with potable water as well as water where they could bathe or wash. Up to the late nineteenth century, water fountains had to be near an aqueduct or reservoir and more elevated than the fountain so that gravity could make the water flow down or jet high into the air. Fountains were not only used as a water source for drinking water, but also to decorate homes and celebrate the artist who created it. Animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks were often times used by Romans to decorate their fountains. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden designers included fountains in their designs to mimic the gardens of paradise.
To show his prominence over nature, French King Louis XIV included fountains in the Garden of Versailles. The Romans of the 17th and 18th centuries manufactured baroque decorative fountains to exalt the Popes who commissioned them as well as to mark the spot where the restored Roman aqueducts entered the city.
The end of the 19th century saw the increase in usage of indoor plumbing to provide drinking water, so urban fountains were relegated to strictly decorative elements. Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity enabled fountains to bring recycled water into living spaces as well as create special water effects.
Embellishing city parks, honoring people or events and entertaining, are some of the purposes of modern-day fountains.